Frequently Asked Questions
- General Program Information
- Getting Involved
- Organizing a Cleanup - Site Coordinator Information
What is the Site Coordinator responsible for?- I'm not available during the official cleanup week in September. Can I still host a cleanup?
- The shoreline I'd like to clean is already registered. Can I still register?
- What is included in the cleanup supply kit? Is it free?
- Why does my cleanup supply kit only have one glove per person?
- When will my cleanup supplies arrive?
- Do you provide additional cleanup supplies such as canvas gloves or sharps containers?
- Am I responsible for getting approval to clean at the shoreline I registered?
- How do I arrange waste disposal for my cleanup? Is this my responsibility?
- Can you help our group provide refreshments at our cleanup?
- Can I get reimbursed for travel and other expenses?
- Will local media hear about my cleanup?
- Helping at a Cleanup - Participant Information
- Cleanups in General
- How long do cleanups last? What distance do they cover?
- I only want to focus on picking up litter; do we need to fill out the data cards?
- What is the liability waiver? Why must we sign this?
- What is a "Private Cleanup"?
- Does the Vancouver Aquarium pre-select which shorelines to clean each year?
- Why can't I see the shoreline that I submitted on the map yet?
- Will we be cleaning up algae, driftwood, or other naturally occurring material?
- What should we do if we come across oil or other toxic substances during our cleanup?
Where does the shoreline cleanup take place? What types of shorelines are cleaned?
Shoreline cleanups take place in every province and territory, from the smallest remote rural locations to the most heavily populated urban centres. These cleanups are organized by dedicated members of the local community who volunteer their time by registering as Site Coordinators. From natural or man-made, rivers to oceans, ponds to marshes, and ravines to lakes, a shoreline cleanup can be done practically anywhere that land meets water!
back to topDuring a shoreline cleanup, members of the community come together to rid our waterways of harmful shoreline litter while also collecting useful and important data on the type and amount of litter items they remove. A Site Coordinator will organize their team of cleanup participants into small groups, who then work together to clean their shoreline while filling out easy to use data cards.
back to topOur cleanup is set to coincide with the International Coastal Cleanup, a worldwide event organized by the Ocean Conservancy that takes place in late September. We are one of the largest contributors to this international event, and this is all thanks to the continual support of our Site Coordinators and their cleanup teams. As there are already a multitude of cleanup events that take place in the Spring, our program offers shorelines a second chance at a full-scale cleanup.
back to topWhat is the difference between a Site Coordinator and a cleanup Participant?
The two primary ways to become involved with the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup are to register as either a 1) Site Coordinator or 2) cleanup Participant. A Site Coordinator is an individual who takes the lead and organizes a cleanup of a local shoreline, while a cleanup Participant is an individual who joins an existing cleanup to lend a hand. Both forms of participation are highly valued, and we encourage you to become involved in the way you are most comfortable.
back to topSite Coordinators must be at least 19 years of age to organize a cleanup, however we still encourage those under 19 to play a role in assisting the Site Coordinator to organize their cleanup. There is no age limit to become a cleanup Participant, all that we ask is that participants who are 18 and under have the signed permission of a parent or legal guardian. Click here to download our liability waiver, and bring a signed copy with you to the cleanup you have joined.
back to topAbsolutely! If you'd like to organize more than one cleanup or if you see more than one cleanup that you'd like to attend, we encourage you to go for it. There is no limit to the number of shorelines cleaned each year, and we appreciate your eagerness and dedication to shoreline stewardship.
back to topOrganizing a Cleanup - Site Coordinator Information
Site Coordinators are the lead contacts and organizers for shoreline cleanups. They are responsible for selecting a local shoreline and managing a team of cleanup participants (of any size) at that shoreline. This important leadership role has 5 key responsibilities, and these are: 1) being familiar with their shoreline location 2) notifying their municipality & arranging waste disposal 3) communicating with their team 4) reviewing cleanup safety and 5) completing and returning data cards. Click here to view our quick slide presentation that summarizes the essential steps to organizing a shoreline cleanup.
back to topI'm not available during the official cleanup week in September. Can I still host a cleanup?
We understand that September can be a very busy month for people, so we run the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup for a full week to help accommodate this. If you would really like to organize a cleanup, but have a conflict during this time period, please contact us directly at shorelinecleanup@vanaqua.org or 1-877-427-2422 to discuss your schedule.
back to topThe shoreline I'd like to clean is already registered. Can I still register?
The TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a popular program, with new groups joining us each year. This means that many shorelines will register quickly. If the shoreline you had hoped to clean is already registered, we encourage you to either submit a new shoreline location, or to search for another nearby location that is still available. The more cleanups organized the better for our shorelines! If you would like to contact the person who is currently registered for that location to discuss the possibility of working together, please call the Shoreline Cleanup office at 1-877-427-2422.
back to topIf you've registered to become a Site Coordinator, we will be mailing you a free cleanup supply kit. In this kit you will find the basic cleanup materials to help get you started. This includes garbage bags, clear bags for recyclables, vinyl gloves, data cards to document the shoreline litter you remove, and a Site Coordinator hat (so your group can see you on the shoreline!). The amount of each item is based on the group size you estimated when registering, so please notify us at shorelinecleanup@vanaqua.org if this changes significantly. A "'Site Coordinator Manual" and other helpful documents are available online in the resource tab of your personal cleanup account.
back to topWhy does my cleanup supply kit only have one glove per person?
As an environmental not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on donations for the cleanup supplies we offer. The TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has grown at an astonishing rate in recent years, with over 50,000 Canadians heading to their shorelines every September. With these enormous numbers, it is not logistically possible to supply pairs of gloves in our supply kits. Limiting gloves to one per person also enables us to reduce any excess waste generated during the course of a cleanup. If you already have access to re-usable canvas gloves or dish washing gloves, please be sure to let us know!
back to topCleanup supply kits are mailed weekly from the Vancouver Aquarium in July and August. If you registered your cleanup close to the registration deadline, or have not received your supplies by August 25, please contact us toll free at 1-877-427-2422 or shorelinecleanup@vanaqua.org. You can also check your personal account to see when your package was sent. We update this as often as possible.
back to topDo you provide additional cleanup supplies such as canvas gloves or sharps containers?
We provide the essential materials for organizing a cleanup; and with thanks to our program sponsors and donors, are able to do so free of charge. You may, however, desire some additional materials at your cleanup that we aren't able to supply. These include items such as re-usable canvas gloves, clipboards, sharps containers, and garbage pickers. We recommend either borrowing these types of items or seeking donations from within your local community.
back to topAm I responsible for getting approval to clean at the shoreline I registered?
Notifying your municipality of plans to clean a given shoreline in your community is an important step when planning your event. While the shorelines listed on our website are locations where groups have held cleanups in the past, these are not locations that have been formally identified by TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup staff members. When contacting your local municipality, you are informing them of your intent to clean that location, and ensuring you have their permission to do so. Click here to download a copy of a document that provides a starting point for finding the right contact for your community.
back to topHow do I arrange waste disposal for my cleanup? Is this my responsibility?
Waste disposal can be arranged by contacting your local municipality to notify them of your cleanup and to ask for guidance on where to leave collected items. We ask our Site Coordinators to organize this for their cleanup, as we are not able to coordinate the specifics for each event. TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Staff will also notify municipalities of cleanups in their community, and pass along any information received, but this depends on how early in the year a cleanup has been registered. Please make sure that the disposal of your garbage and recycling bags has been arranged prior to your cleanup.
back to topHaving extra incentives at your cleanup, such as light refreshments, is a great way to keep your cleanup team motivated on the shorelines! We have designed a donation letter template that you may download when seeking out donations from within your community. Click here to download a copy.
back to topWe are unfortunately not able to reimburse any additional expenses, such as transit to a cleanup or dumping charges. In some cases, however, we can provide a letter to notify individuals of your cleanup event and ask them to waive any associated fees. These are dealt with on a case by case basis. Please contact us at shorelinecleanup@vanaqua.org or 1-877-427-2422 if you think you qualify.
back to topA shoreline cleanup is an excellent example of communities coming together to help our environment, and this is the type of "good news" stories that many media outlets love to report on. As a national event with an enormous scope, many of our cleanups will make their way to the local news. While there is always interest in learning about cleanups, we can't guarantee that your event will garner media attention. If you'd like any tips or assistance for attracting media to your event, or have any media questions in general, please e-mail shorelinemedia@vanaqua.org or call toll-free 1-800-375-8776.
back to topHelping at a Cleanup - Participant Information
If you've signed up to participate at a registered cleanup, the Site Coordinator for that cleanup will be responsible for bringing the bulk of the cleanup supplies (such as bags and gloves). You should arrive prepared with the appropriate clothing for the weather, as well as snacks and water. While the Site Coordinator will provide the cleanup supplies, you might also want to bring a few of your own (such as canvas gloves and extra bags).
back to topAll Site Coordinators are asked to specify a meeting location when they register, so be sure to check your cleanup info page for this information. If the meeting location is not clear, contact your Site Coordinator for more details.
back to topSite Coordinators come from all types of groups, be it schools, local businesses, environmental groups, or members of the general public. The type of group organizing an event is listed when you register to join a cleanup, so make sure that this is a group you are comfortable working with. Remember, participation varies each year, so that means a group who cleans a location in a given year, may decide to clean a new shoreline the next. Please also note that the Vancouver Aquarium and the TD Great Canadian Shoreline cleanup staff cannot be held responsible for the actions of the registered Site Coordinator. Be sure to contact your Site Coordinator before the cleanup to confirm their event.
back to topCan I use my participation towards community service hours for High School?
You most certainly can! Participating in the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a great way to fulfill your community service requirement!
back to topThere is no set length of time or distance for a shoreline cleanup, as this will vary according to the group, location, and amount of shoreline litter. A cleanup is a fun and rewarding event, and the Site Coordinator will help determine the amount of time and length of shoreline that is most convenient for the group.
back to topI only want to focus on picking up litter; do we need to fill out the data cards?
While the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup helps to rid our shorelines of harmful litter; the main goal of the program is to create awareness and change those behaviours that lead to littering. By filling out the data cards, you are gathering the necessary facts about what we are finding on our shorelines. These are not only looked at nationally, but they are also contributed to the International Coastal Cleanup. While we do appreciate you might want to focus solely on removing litter, please remember that the data cards are both important to the program and easy to fill out.
back to topWhile the cleanup is fun and easy way to make a worthwhile impact on the environment, like any outdoor event, there are always some risks involved. The liability waiver is a written agreement between cleanup participants and the Vancouver Aquarium that acknowledges these risks. By signing this form, the participant acknowledges that they are both aware of any risks involved and agree not to hold the Aquarium responsible should any incident arise as a result of their participation.
back to topA private cleanup is simply a cleanup that a group has chosen to be left closed to the general public. Cleanups are organized by a variety of groups and individuals, and there can be various reasons they opt to host a private event (eg. school groups). If this was a shoreline you had hoped to clean, please search the map for another suitable location.
back to topDoes the Vancouver Aquarium pre-select which shorelines to clean each year?
No. All of the shorelines you see listed on the website were submitted to us by the original Site Coordinator for that location. We put great trust in our Site Coordinators, and value their opinions on letting us know of a shoreline in their community that would benefit from a TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. When a new shoreline is submitted, we ask for as much detail about that location as possible, but do acknowledge that some locations might have fewer details. Before signing up to organize or participate at a shoreline, be sure you are familiar with the area.
back to topWhy can't I see the shoreline that I submitted on the map yet?
Any newly submitted site must first undergo an approval process before being added to our list of available cleanups. We will make sure the suggested site is not already listed in our system so that cleanup efforts aren't duplicated. Depending on when you have submitted your shoreline, this process will take between 24 - 72 hours.
back to topWill we be cleaning up algae, driftwood, or other naturally occurring material?
No. The TD Great Canadian Cleanup is focused only on reducing human-produced litter from our environments. If any natural elements are removed, the sensitive balance of your aquatic ecosystem may be negatively affected. We encourage you to contact your municipality or provincial environmental ministry if you have any specific concerns regarding your shoreline, including the presence of blue-green algae.
back to topWhat should we do if we come across oil or other toxic substances during our cleanup?
Chemical pollution and oil spills are outside the scope of the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Please report any dangerous waste to your local authorities.
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